8 Irish Dog Breeds from the Emerald Isle

Including setters, terriers, spaniels, and hounds

From terriers to setters, hounds to spaniels, the Emerald Isle was the birthplace of a handful of special dog breeds. All Irish dog breeds were originally working dogs, bred to do specific jobs to assist people. These native Irish dog breeds are all different types of hunting dogs, falling into three American Kennel Club groups: Terrier, Sporting, and Hound. Many Irish breeds are still working dogs, while others are pets first and foremost.

Here are 8 native Irish dog breeds and their histories.

Glen of Imaal Terrier

The Glen of Imaal terrier was originally used to hunt badgers in the rocky mountain terrain of County Wicklow, Ireland. A bit less feisty than most terriers, Glens are ideal for people who like a less intense terrier. Their rough, wiry coat should be brushed once or twice a week to prevent mats. The coat sheds very little, so some allergy sufferers find they can live with a Glen of Imaal. 

Breed Overview

GROUP: Terrier

HEIGHT: 12.5 to 14 inches

WEIGHT: 32 to 40 pounds

TEMPERAMENT: Affectionate, gentle, bold

COAT AND COLOR: Medium-length and wiry in blue brindle or wheaten

ENERGY LEVEL: Moderate

LIFE SPAN: 10 to 15 years

Irish Red and White Setter

The Irish red and white setter is related to the solid-red Irish setter. Both breeds hunted birds in Ireland as far back as the 1600s. Many historians believe the Irish red and white came first, but the solid-red Irish setter became more popular with hunters. Less demand for the Irish red and white brought the breed to the brink of extinction. In the 1920s, Irish breeders set out to save the Irish red and white. Decades later, the breed was reestablished. In 2009, the American Kennel Club welcomed the Irish red and white to the Sporting Group.

Breed Overview

GROUP: Sporting

HEIGHT: 22.5 to 26 inches

WEIGHT: 35 to 60 pounds

TEMPERAMENT: Friendly, intelligent, energetic, eager to please

ENERGY LEVEL: High

COAT AND COLOR: Medium length with feathering on ears, chest, legs, and tail; red or copper with white

LIFE SPAN: 11 to 15 years

Irish Setter

The Irish setter has been a popular gun dog in Ireland since the early 1800s. It’s thought that the Irish red and white setter was used to create the Irish setter by selecting dogs with more red color until solid-red dogs became standardized. Irish setters were originally used to locate and retrieve birds for hunters, something they still excel at today.

Breed Overview

GROUP: Sporting

HEIGHT: 25 to 27 inches

WEIGHT: 60 to 70 pounds

TEMPERAMENT: Affectionate, intelligent, athletic, gentle, sweet-tempered

ENERGY LEVEL: High

COAT AND COLOR: Medium length with feathering on ears, chest, legs, and tail; red or copper

LIFE SPAN: 12 to 15 years

Irish Terrier

One of the oldest terrier breeds, the Irish terrier was valued in Ireland for their skills hunting vermin and guarding the farm. The breed is relatively rare today, but in 1929, the Irish terrier was the 13th most popular AKC-registered breed. The Irish terrier’s dense, wiry coat sheds very little, so some people with dog allergies can live comfortably with them.

Breed Overview

GROUP: Terrier

HEIGHT: 18 to 20 inches

WEIGHT: 25 to 28 pounds

PERSONALITY: Intelligent, lively, protective, trainable, dominant, respectful

COAT: Dense, wiry, broken, close-lying topcoat, with a fine and soft undercoat

COAT COLOR: Solid colors which include bright red, golden red, red wheaten, or wheaten

LIFE SPAN: 13 to 15 years

Irish Water Spaniel

The Irish water spaniel was developed in Dublin in the 1860s by a sportsman named Justin McCarthy. His dog Boatswain was the basis for the modern Irish water spaniel breed. Today, the IWS is rare, but it was once a very popular hunting breed and was one of the original nine breeds first recognized by the AKC in 1884.

Breed Overview

GROUP: Sporting

HEIGHT: 21 to 24 inches

WEIGHT: 45 to 68 pounds

TEMPERAMENT: Alert, curious, playful, affectionate, active

ENERGY LEVEL: High

COAT AND COLOR: Dense, tight, crisp curls on the body, and short and smooth on the face with a long topknot and ears; solid liver (brown)

LIFE SPAN: 12 to 13 years

Irish Wolfhound

The Irish wolfhound is the tallest of all dog breeds. Mentions of the ancestors of the majestic Irish wolfhound can be found in literature dating as far back as the 5th century Ireland. Historically, only Irish noble men and kings were permitted to own Irish wolfhounds, which were used to hunt elk, boar, and wolves. 

Breed Overview

GROUP: Hound

HEIGHT: At least 30 inches (female), at least 32 inches (male)

WEIGHT: 105 pounds (female), 120 pounds (male)

TEMPERAMENT: Courageous, calm, even-tempered

ENERGY LEVEL: Low

COAT AND COLOR: Medium-length and wiry in black, blue, brindle, creme, gray, red, silver, white or wheaten

LIFE SPAN: 6 to 8 years

Kerry Blue Terrier

The Kerry blue terrier was developed in the mountains of County Kerry, Ireland, more than 100 years ago. One theory about the Kerry blue’s history says that because only nobility were allowed to hunt with Irish wolfhounds, non-nobles set out to create their own breed to help them poach game. 

Breed Overview

GROUP: Terrier

HEIGHT: 17 to 19 inches

WEIGHT: 30 to 40 pounds

TEMPERAMENT: Loyal, alert, attentive, bright

COAT AND COLOR: Short, soft and wavy coat with no undercoat; blue-gray in color upon maturing

LIFE SPAN: 12 to 15 years

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

The soft coated wheaten terrier was developed in Ireland as a versatile farm dogs, capable of dispatching rodents, warning of approaching strangers and protecting livestock. Today’s wheaten is more likely to be a devoted family pet than rustic farm dog. The wheaten’s coat is different from many terriers because it is soft and silky rather than wiry. It sheds very little, making this breed a good candidate for allergy sufferers. The coat requires daily brushing to prevent mats, and regular professional grooming. 

Breed Overview

GROUP: Terrier

HEIGHT: 17 to 19 inches

WEIGHT: 30 to 40 pounds

TEMPERAMENT: Friendly, lively, affectionate

COAT AND COLOR: Wavy, silky, medium-length coat in wheaten

ENERGY LEVEL: Medium to high

LIFE SPAN: 12 to 14 years

Read the original article on The Spruce Pets.